If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you have probably been overwhelmed by the volume of books available on the subject. On one popular bookseller’s site, there are more than 10,000 books alone concerning pregnancy, and it can be overwhelming to determine which ones to choose. While dozens of new books on the subject are released each year, a few stand out as recommended reading based on Amazon’s bestseller rankings and choices from the Parent Dish website.
“What to Expect When You’re Expecting”
Written by a mom, Heidi Murkoff, for other moms-to-be, this book is easy to understand and not only addresses the ins and outs of pregnancy but also practical matters such as lifestyle changes, pregnancy and work, as well as what to consider in fast food when you’re pregnant and need an on-the-road meal. Murkoff teamed with Sharon Mazel to write “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” which is in its fourth edition as of 2010 and has more than 16 million copies in print. Estimated by “USA Today” to have been read by more than 93 percent of all pregnant women who have read at least one pregnancy book, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” was first released in 1984 and continues to stay on the “New York Times” bestseller list.
“Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy”
Compiled by the doctors of the Mayo Clinic, “Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy” is a comprehensive volume that covers every medical aspect of pregnancy. This book includes information for women who have medical conditions such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism and asthma. Charts for symptoms and signs for each pregnancy week as well as decision guides for subjects such as whether to breast-feed make this book perhaps the most comprehensive pregnancy book available.
“The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy”
If you’re looking for the lighter side of pregnancy, Vicki Lovine’s “The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy” may be just the thing. Full of edgy sarcasm and anecdotes, this book has chapter titles such as “Top Ten Reasons to Suspect You May Be Pregnant” and “Pregnancy Insanity” that will leave you holding your sides in laughter at the condition you find yourself in.
“The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth”
With more than a half-million copies sold as of 2010, Sheila Kitzinger’s “Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth” helps guide the mother-to-be into the world of choosing birthing partners, what to expect in a birthing room and how to construct a birthing plan. It includes sections on deciding between hospital and home births as well as choosing a midwife instead of an obstetrician, and it has a week-by-week pregnancy section that will guide you throughout your pregnancy.
“Your Pregnancy Week By Week”
Glade Curtis has compiled perhaps the most informative book that details each week of pregnancy, helping the mother-to-be understand the changes in her body and imagine the weekly growth of her baby. “Your Pregnancy Week by Week” includes chapters on the weeks after the birth as well as tips for dads-to-be. It is a good guide to refer to when you want to expand on the information your own doctor has given you.
Photo Credit
- pregnant image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
